The fact that he lost the part led to him being cast in Modern Family instead.
In Hollywood, it’s often said that every audition has a story—and sometimes, not getting the role can turn out to be the best thing that ever happened. That certainly seems to be the case for actor Eric Stonestreet, best known for his iconic portrayal of Cameron Tucker on ABC’s beloved sitcom Modern Family, which ran for 11 successful seasons from 2009 to 2020.
During the Dexter: Resurrection panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, showrunner Clyde Phillips shared a fascinating behind-the-scenes story that took fans by surprise. Long before Stonestreet became a household name, he auditioned for a small but chilling role on Dexter—and ended up being rejected.
“When we first started this show,” Clyde Phillips told the crowd at Ballroom 20, “Eric Stonestreet came in to audition. At the time, he was a working day-player actor. He read for the role of one of Brian Moser’s victims—the Ice Truck Killer. But he didn’t get the part.” Phillips went on to reveal that in the same week Stonestreet would have been filming Dexter, he instead auditioned for the role of Cameron on Modern Family.
Talk about fate stepping in.
Although specific details about the role Clyde refers to are unavailable, it is possible that it was for the character Tony Tucci, ultimately portrayed by the late actor Brad William Henke.
What initially seemed like a missed opportunity on Dexter turned out to be a major turning point in Stonestreet’s career. Instead of a relatively small role in Season 1, he went on to land a lead role in one of television’s most critically acclaimed comedies—one that would earn him two Emmy Awards and international fame.
This story serves as a reminder that rejection isn't always the end—sometimes, it's the redirection we didn't know we needed.
Interestingly, Eric Stonestreet himself recently reflected on this twist of fate. In a press interview earlier this summer, the actor—who has long called himself a Dexter superfan—confirmed the story and added a new layer to it. He expressed that he's “twice as happy now” for having lost the Ice Truck Killer victim role in 2006. Why? Because not only did that rejection lead him to Modern Family, but it also eventually brought him full circle—Stonestreet is now joining Dexter: Resurrection in a much larger, more impactful role.
The introduction of Eric Stonestreet to the A-list guest cast of Dexter: Resurrection as serial killer called 'Rapunzel' took place in the most recent episode, "Call Me Red." Portraying a deeply twisted character who hides behind the façade of a large family, it will be fascinating to see where his story leads—and whether he’ll ultimately end up on Dexter’s table. What’s undeniable, however, is Stonestreet’s acting talent. Despite his relatively brief appearance, his performance was nothing short of superb.